Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Another year has passed, and it’s time to update my app defaults. A lot has happened in the world since Andrew, Martin, and Jason of Hemispheric Views listed their defaults for the first time. I’ve tried to ditch big‑tech companies and move my data and services to more open platforms, some of them self‑hosted. Indicated are unchanged entries (🔒) and updated entries (✨). I still use the various categories as written by Andrew:
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
PSA: Right now is a good time to buy Indie Software for macOS and iOS. There are lists online with hundreds of discounted apps, e.g. indieappsales.com or github and Lou has a Roundup of his AppAddict Reviews on Sale. But it’s even easier than this. Just buy all the apps you don’t own yet from the Editor’s Choice bundle. You’re welcome ;-)
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
For a couple of years, I’ve had two Raspberry Pis running on my home network. One was for a Magic Mirror 2 server instance with a few self-written Python scripts. A very cheaply acquired Fire Tablet hangs on the fridge and displays its website in Full Kiosk Mode. The other Raspberry run Pi-Hole and filters ads for the entire home network. To become a little more independent from the big tech bros, in the middle of the year, a VPS from Hetzner joined the setup, running NextCloud.
Babo: The Haftbefehl Story (2025)
Sunday, November 9, 2025
In the latest Hiro report, I read about an app called Roll N' Write for iPadOS. I had never heard about these print and play games and was wondering what they were about. I found the idea compelling, although I’m not a big RPG guy. I’ve downloaded the app, which looks decent, but as I am not a heavy iPad and Apple Pencil user anymore, I was more interested in the paper version.
Sunday, October 5, 2025
I am extremely impressed with the LEGO Game Boy set. The build technique is outstanding. There are only two stickers and it looks absolutely brilliant. I am glad I made an exception to my “no new LEGO sets” rule.
Finished reading: Auf See by Theresia Enzensberger 📚
🍿 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) - ★★★☆☆
Too much time for too little story.
Sunday, January 22, 2023
Streak, this is the third time this year I’ve managed to write down what I’ve done during the week. If you’re interested in what it was like before, you can read about the first and second week. I have been very busy at work this week. So there was less to discover. I did a lot of walking with the dog (~ 50 km from Monday to Saturday so far), so at least I had enough time to listen to podcasts: 🎙️ I really enjoyed Really Specific Stories: John Siracusa.
Sunday, January 15, 2023
After all, this is the second time this year that I’ve managed to write down a bit what has been keeping me busy during the week. 🥳 😔 So, this was my first week at work and thus, unfortunately, again far too little time for things I really enjoy. (I’ll have to think about my work situation in great detail at some point). 🕹 Playdate: After the two pre-installed games on my playdate, the first two new games included in Episode 1 arrived for me on Monday: Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure and Boogie Loops.
Sunday, January 8, 2023
I was motivated by muhh’s blog entry to write down what was on my mind in the first week of January. I’m not sure yet if this will become something more regular, but I wanted to start putting something online more often anyway - more on that below. I’ve had the last two weeks off. The weather was bad, I had a cold 🤧 and therefore a lot of cycling wasn’t an option either (at least that’s what I told myself).